How Much Extra Pension for Deferring?
2025/26 full new State Pension: £221.20/week
Frequently Asked Questions
If you delay claiming your state pension after reaching State Pension age, your payments increase. For the new state pension, you receive 1% extra for every 9 weeks you defer (approximately 5.8% per year).
No. You must actively defer by not claiming your state pension. The DWP will contact you near your State Pension age to ask if you want to claim or defer.
No. The lump sum option was abolished for the new state pension. You can only receive an enhanced weekly payment if you defer.
For every 9 weeks (63 days) you defer, your new state pension increases by 1%. If you defer for 1 year (52 weeks ≈ 5.77 lots of 9 weeks), your pension increases by approximately 5.77%.
The State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. It was increased to 67 between 2026-2028. Further increases to 68 are planned, subject to legislation.
Yes. State pension (including any deferral enhancement) counts as taxable income. It doesn't attract NIC, but may push you into income tax if combined with other income.
Deferral only pays off if you live long enough to recoup the missed pension. If you have health concerns, it's generally better to claim straight away. The break-even point is typically 10-15 years.
If you die, your spouse/civil partner may inherit your deferred pension rights. They'd receive enhanced pension based on your deferral period (subject to them not having remarried).
Yes. Deferring your state pension may affect means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction. Check with Citizens Advice before deferring.
Yes. You can claim your state pension at any time once you've reached State Pension age. The deferral period and enhancement are calculated based on when you first claim.
The triple lock (higher of earnings growth, CPI, or 2.5%) applies to the state pension rate each April. Your deferred pension baseline rises with the triple lock during your deferral period.
There's no legal maximum. However, after reaching State Pension age, you'll have to balance the break-even calculation against your remaining life expectancy.